System of doing business comprising an electronic game, a computer and a corresponding website

ABSTRACT

A system of promoting and/or doing business while a potential customer plays an electronic game. The system involves the use of a website, a specially designed web page or pages, and an electronic game that is connected through wired or wireless mechanism to a computer.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to commercial activities and electronic gaming systems, and more particularly related to a system of promoting and/or doing business while a potential customer plays an electronic game. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system that involves the use of a website, a specially designed web page or pages, and an electronic game that is connected through wired or wireless mechanism to a computer.

BACKGROUND ART

In this era of information technology, the internet interconnects the world and allows a tremendous amount of information to be shared by computers through wired or wireless connections.

Almost every business has its own website to promote its own product and/or services. Many of these websites involve the use of special promotional activities to attract consumers to visit their websites. The method of promoting such websites includes e-mail campaigns, free e-mail services, hard copy advertisement, TV/radio commercials, etc.

Some companies provide simple electronic games to attract visitors to their websites. However, once the consumer downloads the games, there is no incentive for the consumer to come back to visit the website. Moreover, the consumer can achieve the virtual satisfaction of electronic games only thru the use of a keyboard, mouse, or game controller, and is not able to achieve any significant degree of physical exercise or physical satisfaction.

In a pending patent in Taiwan (case 438612), a program capable of downloading games from a web server to a computer is disclosed. However, this system suffers from the limitations discussed in the preceding paragraphs.

In a pending patent in Taiwan (case 561355), there is disclosed a device that provides geographical location to a website, including city, state, area code, etc. However, this type of system does not provide any solution to the problems noted in the preceding paragraphs.

In a pending patent in Taiwan (case 369150), there is disclosed an electronic dart game that is connected to a computer through the interface of RS232 or universal series bus (USB). Electronic signals are transferred to the computer thru the interface. In addition, several electronic dart games can be connected through internet for players in different geographic areas to compete in a shared dart game.

In a pending patent in Taiwan (case 544327), there is disclosed a scoring system assembled on bowling alley.

In a pending patent in Taiwan (case 307210), there is disclosed an electronic basketball game.

In a pending patent in Taiwan (case 116534), there is disclosed a golf practicing equipment controlled by a microcomputer.

While these prior art systems may achieve the goals of providing recreation or physical exercise, they do not provide any help in promoting business through website viewing.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to various features, characteristics and embodiments of the present invention which will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds, the present invention provides a system for doing business, which includes:

an electronic game;

a computer; and

a website, wherein:

-   -   said electronic game sends and receives electronic signals to         and from the internet through a connection to the computer;     -   said computer has a linking program, through which interaction         between the electronic game and a website is made;     -   said website comprises at least one web page and at least one         respondent programs; and     -   the at least one web page comprises two areas, including a         gaming area and a commercial area which can be shown         concomitantly so that when a player plays the electronic game,         desirable commercial information is shown on the computer         simultaneously.

The present invention further provides an electronic gaming system that includes: an electronic physical game;

a computer; and

a website, wherein:

-   -   said electronic physical game sends and receives electronic         signals to and from the internet through wired or wireless         connection to the computer;     -   said computer has a linking program, through which interaction         between the game and a website is made;     -   said website comprises at least one web page and at least one         respondent program; and     -   the at least one web page comprises two areas, including a         gaming area and commercial area, which can be shown         concomitantly so that when a player plays the game, desirable         commercial information is shown on the computer simultaneously.

The present invention also provides a website that comprises at least one web page, wherein the at least one web page concomitantly comprises two distinctly different areas, including a gaming area and a commercial area, so that when a player plays an electronic game on through the internet that is linked to the website, certain commercial information is displayed to the player, wherein said commercial information comprises at least one of static commercial advertisement and/or interactive parameters so that business transactions can be made through the internet.

The present invention further provides a method of promoting commercial activities which involves:

providing a website that comprises at least one web page, wherein the at least one web page concomitantly comprises two distinctly different areas, including a gaming area and a commercial area;

allowing and electronic game to be linked to the website;

displaying commercial information on the website when a player plays an electronic game linked to the website.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings which are given as non-limiting examples only, in which:

FIG. 1 is a general diagram of a system for doing business involving a shooting game according to one embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a system of doing business, that involves the use of an electronic game or gaming unit, a computer and a website. In use, as a player plays a game on the electronic game or gaming unit the electronic game or gaming unit sends and receives electronic signals to and from the internet through a connection to the computer. The computer is programmed with a linking program, through which interaction between the electronic game or gaming unit and the website is made. The website includes at least one web page and at least one respondent program. The at least one web page comprises two areas, including a gaming area and commercial area which can be shown concomitantly. As a player uses the system to play a game, desirable commercial information is shown on the computer simultaneously.

According to the present invention, the electronic game may involve human physical action on a practical physical device instead of a virtual device such as a mouse, a keyboard, a game controlling stick or a game controlling pad. Non-limiting examples of electronic games that involve physical action include shooting games, bowling games, golf practice games/machines, basketball games, ping pong games, exercise equipment/machines, etc.

Non-limiting examples of exercise equipment/machines include treadmills, bicycling machines, weight lifting machines, stretching machines, bending machines, endurance machines, etc.

According to the present invention, non-limiting examples of shooting games include the use of one or more targets, projectiles that, in use are thrown or propelled towards the targets and sensor which determine the score when a projectile has struck a target or an area of a target.

According to one embodiment, the projectiles are configured to be thrown by human power and aimed at specific areas on the targets so that when a projectile hits certain area on the target, a corresponding electronic signal is induced or produced and transferred to the gaming area on the web page.

An example of such a shooting game that involves the use of human powered or thrown projectiles is an electronic dartboard game, wherein the target is a dartboard, the projectile is a dart, and the sensor is capable of sensing the specific area hit by the dart and produce a corresponding electronic signal.

According to different embodiments of the present invention the computer can be a personal computer or a laptop computer, or some other digital device that can be connected to a website through wired or wireless mechanism, such as a portable personal digital assistant (PDA), cellular phone, etc.

According to the present invention the respondent program receives electronic signals from the electronic game via the computer and uploads corresponding contents onto the gaming area of the web page. The respondent program further responds to the received electronic signals and downloads suitable responses to the electronic game via the computer.

According to different embodiments of the present invention, the gaining area on the web page displays the status and controls parameters of games so that interaction can occur between the game and the web page.

The content in the commercial area is determined by other suitable programs that can be dependent or independent from the program that controls of the gaming area.

According to different embodiments of the present invention, the commercial area comprises a static commercial advertising information, animated advertising material, and/or interactive parameters so that business transactions can be made through the internet.

Alternatively, the content of the commercial area depends on the geographical location of the computer and other demographic information that can be obtained and/or stored related to various users.

Alternatively, the content of the commercial area depends on the IP address of the computer and information that is maintained related to the IP address. According to a further alternative, the content of the commercial area may be affected by the gaming area so that when certain criteria of the game is made, such as very high scoring, a promotion, such as a bonus prize, may be displayed and/or awarded to the player through the commercial area on the web page.

According to the present invention, the connection between the game and the computer is through wired or wireless mechanism, wherein the wired connection is through universal serial bus (USB) or equivalent connection.

According to the present invention, the website is configured to accommodate a plurality of computers so as to allow a plurality of players to play a common game simultaneously.

In alternative embodiments, when the game is connected to the computer, the linking program is capable of automatically linking the game to the desired web page on the website so that the corresponding contents in gaming area and in the commercial are shown to the player automatically.

The present invention is further directed to an electronic gaming system that includes an electronic physical game, a computer and a website. In use, the electronic physical game sends and receives electronic signals to and from the internet through a wired or wireless connection to the computer. The computer has a linking program, through which interaction between the game and a website is made. The website comprises one or a plurality of web page and at least one respondent program. The at least one of the web page comprises two areas, gaming area and commercial area, which can be shown concomitantly so that when a player plays a physical game on the electronic physical game, desirable commercial information is shown on the computer simultaneously.

The present invention also provides a website that includes a least one web page, wherein the least one web page concomitantly comprises two distinctly different areas, including a gaming area and a commercial area, whereby when a player plays an electronic game on the internet, certain commercial information is displayed. The commercial information comprises static commercial advertisement and/or interactive parameters so that business transactions or activities can be promoted through the internet.

FIG. 1 is a general diagram of a system for doing business involving a shooting game according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system comprises an electronic game 10, a computer 20, and a website 30. The shooting game comprises a projectile 40, a target 50, and a sensor 60. As the projectile hits or strikes specific area of the target (and perhaps becomes partially removably embedded in the target), a corresponding electronic signal is generated by the sensor 60 and sent to the computer 20, which comprises a linking program 70, through which the signal is transferred to the desired website 30. The website 30 comprises a respondent program 80 and a web page 90. The web page 90 comprises a gaming area 100 and a commercial area 110. As the gaming status is shown on the web page, certain commercial information is sown on the same web page 90 concomitantly. The respondent program 80 is also capable of sending interactive information or commands back to the computer 20 so that desired interactions can occur within the whole system, whether it be related to the game or related to the commercial activities.

While the present invention has been described in reference to FIG. 1 which illustrates an electronic dart game, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to an electronic dart game as discussed above.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, from the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the present invention and various changes and modifications can be made to adapt the various uses and characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as described above and set forth in the appended claims. 

1. A system for doing business, which comprises: an electronic game; a computer; and a website, wherein: said electronic game sends and receives electronic signals to and from the internet through a connection to the computer; said computer has a linking program, through which interaction between the electronic game and a website is made; said website comprises at least one web page and at least one respondent programs; and the at least one web page comprises two areas, including a gaming area and a commercial area which can be shown concomitantly so that when a player plays the electronic game, desirable commercial information is shown on the computer simultaneously.
 2. A system for doing business according to claim 1, wherein said electronic game involves human physical action on a practical physical device other than a virtual device such as a mouse, a keyboard, a game controlling stick or a game controlling pad.
 3. A system for doing business according to claim 2, wherein said electronic game comprises at least one of a shooting game, a bowling game, a golf practice machine, a basketball game, a ping pong game, or exercise equipment.
 4. A system for doing business according to claim 3, wherein said exercise equipment comprises at least one of a treadmill, a bicycling machine, a weight lifting machine, a stretching machine, a bending machine, and an endurance machine.
 5. A system for doing business according to claim 3, wherein the shooting game comprises: a target, a projectile, and a sensor, wherein the projectile is configured to be thrown by human power toward specific areas on the target, whereby when the projectile hits a specific area on the target, a corresponding electronic signal is induced or produced and transferred to the gaming area on the web page.
 6. A system for doing business according to claim 5, wherein the shooting game comprises an electronic dartboard game.
 7. A system for doing business according to claim 6, wherein the target comprises a dartboard, the projectile comprises a dart, and the sensor senses the specific area of the target that is hit by the dart and, in response, produces a corresponding electronic signal indicating the accuracy of the player of the game.
 8. A system for doing business according to claim 1, where in the computer comprises at least one of a personal computer, a laptop computer, a portable personal digital assistant (PDA), cellular phone, or other digital device that can be connected to a website through wired or wireless mechanism.
 9. A system for doing business according to claim 1, wherein the respondent program receives electronic signals from the electronic game through the computer and uploads corresponding contents onto the gaming area of the web page, and further responds to the received electronic signal and downloads suitable responses to the electronic game through the computer.
 10. A system for doing business according to claim 1, wherein the gaming area on the web page shows the status and control parameters of the game so that interaction can be made between the game and the web page.
 11. A system for doing business according to claim 1, wherein the content in the commercial area is determined by a program that is independent from a program that controls the gaming area.
 12. A system for doing business according to claim 11, wherein the commercial area comprises at least one of static commercial advertising information, animated advertising material, and/or interactive parameters so that business transactions can be made through the internet.
 13. A system for doing business according to claim 1, wherein the content of the commercial area is related to the geographical location of the computer.
 14. A system for doing business according to claim 1, wherein the content of the commercial area is related to the IP address of the computer.
 15. A system for doing business according to claim 1, wherein the content of the commercial area is controlled by the gaming area so that when certain criteria of the game are made, a player receives a reward through the commercial area on the web page.
 16. A system for doing business according to claim 1 wherein, the connection between the game and the computer comprises a wired or wireless connection.
 17. A system for doing business according to claim 16, wherein the wired connection is through universal serial bus (USB) connection.
 18. A system for doing business according to claim 1, wherein the website accommodates a plurality of computers so that a plurality of players can be playing the game simultaneously.
 19. A system for doing business according to claim 1, wherein, when the game is connected to the computer, the linking program automatically links the game to a desired web page on the website so that corresponding contents in gaming area and in a commercial are shown to the player automatically.
 20. An electronic gaming system that comprises: an electronic physical game; a computer; and a website, wherein: said electronic physical game sends and receives electronic signals to and from the internet through wired or wireless connection to the computer; said computer has a linking program, through which interaction between the game and a website is made; said website comprises at least one web page and at least one respondent program; and the at least one web page comprises two areas, including a gaming area and commercial area, which can be shown concomitantly so that when a player plays the game, desirable commercial information is shown on the computer simultaneously.
 21. A website that comprises at least one web page, wherein the at least one web page concomitantly comprises two distinctly different areas, including a gaming area and a commercial area, so that when a player plays an electronic game on through the internet that is linked to the website, certain commercial information is displayed to the player, wherein said commercial information comprises at least one of static commercial advertisement and/or interactive parameters so that business transactions can be made through the internet.
 22. A method of promoting commercial activities which comprises: providing a website that comprises at least one web page, wherein the at least one web page concomitantly comprises two distinctly different areas, including a gaming area and a commercial area; allowing and electronic game to be linked to the website; displaying commercial information on the website when a player plays an electronic game linked to the website.
 23. A method of promoting commercial activities according to claim 22, wherein said electronic game involves human physical action on a practical physical device other than a virtual device such as a mouse, a keyboard, a game controlling stick or a game controlling pad.
 24. A method of promoting commercial activity according to claim 22, wherein said electronic game comprises at least one of a shooting game, a bowling game, a golf practice machine, a basketball game, a ping pong game, or exercise equipment.
 25. A method of promoting commercial activity according to claim 24, wherein said exercise equipment comprises at least one of a treadmill, a bicycling machine, a weight lifting machine, a stretching machine, a bending machine, and an endurance machine. 